Acts 6

1 But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration.

About this time, when the number of the disciples was constantly increasing, complaints were made by the Greek speaking Jews against the Aramaic speaking Jews, that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

2 And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to [them], said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.

The Twelve, therefore, called together the general body of the disciples and said to them, ‘It is not well for us to see to the distribution at the tables and neglect God’s message.

3 Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of [the] [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:

Therefore, friends, look for seven men of reputation among yourselves, wise and spiritually-minded men, and we will appoint them to attend to this matter;

4 but we will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.

while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the delivery of the message.’

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and [the] Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch,

This proposal was unanimously agreed to; and the disciples chose Stephen – a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit – and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a former convert to Judaism;

6 whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

and they brought these men to the apostles, who, after praying, placed their hands on them.

7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

So God’s message spread, and the number of the disciples continued to increase rapidly in Jerusalem, and a large body of the priests accepted the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people.

Meanwhile Stephen, divinely helped and strengthened, was showing great wonders and signs among the people.

9 And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.

But some members of the Synagogue of the Freed Slaves (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and Visitors from Cilicia and Roman Asia, were roused to action and began disputing with Stephen;

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

yet they were quite unable to withstand the wisdom and the inspiration with which he spoke.

11 Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.

Then they induced some men to assert that they had heard Stephen saying blasphemous things against Moses, and against God;

12 And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon [him] they seized him and brought [him] to the council.

and they stirred up the people, as well as the elders and the teachers of the Law, and set on Stephen, and arrested him, and brought him before the High Council.

13 And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law;

There they produced witnesses who gave false evidence. ‘This man,’ they said, ‘is incessantly saying things against this holy place and the Law;

14 for we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses taught us.

indeed, we have heard him declare that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and change the customs handed down to us by Moses.’

15 And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as [the] face of an angel.

The eyes of all the members of the Council were riveted on Stephen, and they saw his face looking like the face of an angel.